I agree...I can totally hold down my 12M in 30, no problem... BUT it's at the very very top end. Actually beyond it a little. We've both held them down at lassing when it was gusting a little over 30.. sketchy of course though.

Last night it was blowing way more than 30 when it spiked. I had to crash the kite to keep from being dragged into shore.. and even with a tip full of water I was still struggling with it... struggling as in on my back in the water, board burried, doing everything in my power to keep it in the water and under control.

I did manage to switch over to an outside line (after about 6 tries) before even considering getting near shore, but even then I rode it out until it came down a little.

In this case the distance is what saved me... we were way the hell out because we both knew it was coming... it's become a regular pattern lately.